[Ord. 641, 10/9/1978; as added by Ord. 785, 5/13/1996, § 1]
This Part is enacted under authority of § 6109(a)(22) of the Vehicle Code and gives authority to the Town to remove and impound those vehicles which are parked in a designated tow-away zone and in violation of parking regulations set forth in this Chapter. Vehicles which have been abandoned (as defined by the Vehicle Code) or which are parked in such a manner as to interfere with traffic or pose a hazard to others may be towed in accordance with the provisions of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.
[Ord. 641, 10/9/9, 1978; as added by Ord. 785, 5/13/1996, § 1]
The Town shall have authority to remove and impound, or to order the removal and impounding, of any vehicle parked overtime or otherwise illegally under circumstances as described in § 15-902, above; provided, however, that no vehicle shall be removed or impounded except in accordance with the provisions of this Part and the applicable provisions of the Vehicle Code.
[Ord. 641, 10/9/1978; as added by Ord. 785, 5/13/1996, § 1]
Council may, from time to time, designate certain streets and/or parking lots as tow-away zones. Such designations shall be accomplished by resolution and shall become effective upon the posting of appropriate signs identifying the designated tow-away zone and stating that vehicles may be towed for violation of the stated parking regulations.
[Ord. 641, 10/9/1978; as added by Ord. 785, 5/13/1996, § 1; as amended by Ord. 920, 2/9/2009, § 17]
Removing of vehicles for impoundment under this Part shall be done only by approved towing operators who shall be designated, from time to time, by Town Council. Every such towing operator shall submit evidence to Council that it has acquired liability insurance in the amount of not less than $1,000,000 affording liability coverage for towing operations conducted under the auspices of the Town. The impoundment of vehicles under this Part shall be done only by approved storage garages that shall be designated, from time to time, by Council or by an impoundment facility maintained by the Town for the storage of such vehicles. Each approved storage garage shall submit evidence to Council that it has acquired liability insurance with a limit of not less than $1,000,000 in order to indemnify owners of impounded vehicles against loss or damage to those vehicles while in the custody of the garage keeper for the purpose of towing or storage. Each approved towing operator and/or storage garage shall submit to Council its schedule of charges for towing and/or storage of vehicles under this Part and, following approval thereof by Council, such schedule of charges shall be adhered to by the approved towing operator or storage garage. Council shall, from time to time, establish a schedule of charges for the storage of vehicles at the Town's impoundment facility. Town Council shall delete from its list of approved towing operators and/or storage garages any operator or garage that makes any unapproved charge in connection with any vehicle removed or impounded under this Part.
[Ord. 641, 10/9/1978; as added by Ord. 785, 5/13/1996, § 1]
Within 12 hours from the time of removal of any vehicle under this Part, notice of the fact that such vehicle has been removed and impounded shall be sent by the Chief of Police of the Town to the owner of record of such vehicle. Such notice shall designate the place from which the vehicle was removed, the reason for its removal and impounding and instructions for reclaiming the vehicle.
[Ord. 641, 10/9/1978; as added by Ord. 785, 5/13/1996, § 1]
The owner or driver of any vehicle impounded in accordance with this Part shall be responsible for the payment of all applicable towing and storage charges resulting from said impoundment. The payment of such towing and storage charges shall not relieve the owner or driver of the impounded vehicle from liability for any fine or penalty for the violation of the provisions of this Chapter for which the vehicle was removed or impounded.
[Ord. 641, 10/9/1978; as added by Ord. 785, 5/13/1996, § 1]
The Bloomsburg Police Department shall cause a record to be kept of all vehicles impounded under this Part and shall be able at all reasonable times to furnish the owners or the agents of the owners of such vehicles with information as to the place of storage of the vehicle.
[Ord. 641, 10/9/1978; as added by Ord. 785, 5/13/1996, § 1]
No vehicle shall be removed under the authority of this Part or the Vehicle Code if, at the time of intended removal, the owner or driver of the vehicle is present and expresses a willingness and intention to remove the vehicle immediately.
[Ord. 641, 10/9/1978; as added by Ord. 785, 5/13/1996, § 1; as amended by Ord. 973, 3/14/2016]
Any person who shall violate any provision of this Part shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of $60 plus costs of prosecution.